AKAI AX80

[@MisAnnThorpe]

Again, along with all your undisputed classic synths, it's really good to see you showing off synths that are sniffily dismissed by the self satisfied and self appointed analogue "purists". Proof once more that it's really about the man/woman behind the machine(s). Excellent demo.

[@rimela]

Thank you! Yes, the AX is not loved by everyone I understand. But I think it's a great machine, the speed sensitivity and modulation wheel make it a very expressive analog synth

[@Psychlist1972]

Why would this synth be dismissed by "analog purists"? It's an analog synth, just like the Juno series, Matrix 6, and other DCO synths.

[@MisAnnThorpe]

@@Psychlist1972 That's a very good question and one that I'm unfortunately unable to answer, but all three synths have been denigrated for their DCOs.

[@Psychlist1972]

@@MisAnnThorpe Weird. Must be some super picky folks you've run across. None of the analog nerds I've spoken with trash those for the DCOs. They're considered classics and prices on many classic DCO synths remain high. I mean, the Juno 6 and Juno 60 are crazy expensive. I do think they're overpriced for what they are (budget synths from back in the day), but they do still sound good.

[@jangayen]

@@Psychlist1972 I own one myself. It was judged by its somewhat chilly presets and the lack of built-in chorus that could certainly have created some "Juno" warmth and stereo width. But as @rimela shows, it's about creating your own sounds and with the addition of chorus and reverb, this is an amazing synth, and rare as well. Very few remain to be found on the used market. They go for about 1000-1800 € depending on conditions.

[@jairkerker2821]

I often prefer bad over unremarkable, and I know you often cleverly exploit and incorporate specific characteristics of a synth in your compositions. It still doesn't move me sonically and doesn't tickle me in its fringes. But the love you put into making it appear almost better than it is, that's where the joy is. I wish I loved these Akai's more, if only to hook up a 60 with the S612.

[@rardubar728]

Fantastic sounds - I love my AX80 too, but you make it sound even better on here!

[@rimela]

Thanks 🙏

[@XYtoTheDoubleG]

Crazy AWESOME!

[@reideid1195]

Outstanding

[@rimela]

Thanks Reid!

[@reidhauke3389]

Btw, what fx processing did you use?

[@rimela]

@@reidhauke3389 All processing was done in Ableton Live using the standard effects (no plugins)

[@JayKaufman]

The last piece is straight out of Bladerunner and is amazing! I love that lead sound!

[@HOMeSKILiT24]

4:50 Whoa! This has to be the best demo of the Akai AX80! Alot of other demos are presets. I've been considering a AX80 for making synthwave and it sounds like it's up to the task. I just need to learn how to multitrack/use a DAW. I don't know why people knock the synth so hard. It sounds fine to me, yeah it's not a Juno, and Junos and such were made to sound like Juno's and this is its own thing. DCO's are nice b/c you don't have to tune em or warm em up, they always work, well until they are 40 years old maybe...Restoring a JX8P right now :) And can we agree how A E S T H E T I C that front panel looks! It will be a bummer when the VFD's go out sadly.

[@rimela]

Thanks! Programming the AX is a bit harder than a Juno, but the AX covers a lot more ground soundwise. Common problem with AX’s is the connection between the PCB’s under the control panel, causing both membrane buttons to fail as well as the VFD’s. It’s really an easy fix and I never had any other issues with it.

[@HOMeSKILiT24]

I got a AX80 finally, what a beast 35lbs sheesh! This video kind of sold it for me. The 80 just needs a voice fixed, the saw wave is barely making it and the square wave is very short. I think it's a dead cap on the voice op-amp after the mux. Also the front panel buttons were shot just like ya said, all fixed up. I might make a video on all the repairs. I'm going to try for a full restoration at least electrically. Quite the project. Such a cool synth!@@rimela

[@rimela]

@@HOMeSKILiT24 it will be totally worth it! Good luck restorating!

[@BlueSky98-km1uz]

Nice sounds and playing👍

[@System-1541]

I love this demo! I have an AX60 and love it! These old Akai synths don't get enough praise.

[@tylernicolo7654]

Excellent demo of this board. I've seen probably 200+ demos of keyboards on KZbin, and this is one of the best. Beautifully written music for one, but composing pieces using only the keyboard in the demo is so much more effective than just going through patches one by one. Thank you!!

[@rimela]

Thank you for this very nice comment!

[@patricksaxon3983]

I had just acquired a vintage Yamaha DX-7 synthesizer, but this was one that I had always wanted, an Akai AX-80 as it sound wonderful!

[@SidBarnhoorn]

Excellent and inspiring! 😊🎶🎉

[@rimela]

Thanks!

[@synth4ever]

Awesome demo and jams, you really showcase the AX80 in a positive light. On its own the sound can sound a bit sterile but with some polish and effects it really comes to life.

[@jessevanderzee7892]

Thuis is more than just music its art

[@mattcharles1505]

What an awesome video. Those sounds are so impressive. The last piece outs me in mind of a CS-80. Superb

[@rimela]

Thanks Matt

[@umbromaniii8813]

beautiful music

[@rimela]

Thanks Umbroman!

[@peterkadarmusic9728]

Really outstanding, musical work.

[@peterkadarmusic9728]

Also… subscribed. 🤘🏻

[@rimela]

@@peterkadarmusic9728 Thank you Peter!

[@frankcoffey]

I had one of those for decades, only had to replace the backup battery once. Loved the action on the keyboard. The piano songs on the factory presets have too much vib on them so you have to turn that all the way down but then they sound fine. Paid $950 for it in the early 80s and sound it in the early 2000s for $750. Great build quality, really a thing of beauty.

[@O.S.R.C.]

I've owned one of these from new. I use it to control VSTs mostly now, I like the direct access to MIDI channel changes with just one button press...

[@anthonygilbert3551]

Really impressive set of sounds and writing. I'm in the last throes of completing my AX80 restoration - and hoping it sounds something like yours in the end and worth the time spent. Once again, really well done and thanks for sharing.

[@rimela]

Thank you! Good luck with your AX80 restoration. I'm sure it will be worth the time spent!

[@anthonygilbert3551]

@@rimela Up and running. It seems to be 99.9% working other than the occasional wobble when using the sub-oscillator. Good to have the AX80 back in action. I’ve just taken the chance to listen to your tracks again and you still surprise me with the range of sounds you get. Nice writing too…

[@rimela]

@@anthonygilbert3551 good to hear your AX is back to life and thanks for your nice feedback. I would be happy to share the sysex files of my patches, I think most of the patches I made for the video are still in there.

[@anthonygilbert3551]

@@rimela I enjoy patch programming, but I would be mad not to accept your kind offer and have access to your fantastic sounds. Many thanks.

[@rimela]

@@anthonygilbert3551 could you share your e-mail adress?

[@LFOVCF]

What a beast! Great music too

[@midnightmusic1]

wow, with the good effects it is wonderfull!! very underated synth, its my first, witch i still own, bought it when i was 15, unfortunaly not al the keys work anymore (just fine via midi) always wanted to restore it to its formal glory, but parts are hard to find.

[@bioelectric1788]

Less than 3 minutes in and 😮 🔥 🔊 🎹

[@trevorwoodley3897]

I always wonder what synth architecture (derived from in-house?) Akai used to create their EXCELLENT synth brass and synth sounds for their EWI wind synths. No other manufacturer's synth brass patches sound like that! I wish they would make those sounds available as a sound set, maybe for the MPC 61 or similar.

[@VLTRAMX]

Gorgeous demo. Cheers.

[@rimela]

Thanks!

[@bricefarineau868]

Amazing demo, the best i’ve ever heard with this synth, yes, really ! Congrats 👍🏻 AX80 is the first synth I bought when I was eighteen, then sold it to get a DX7 and always regret it… awsome look, analog tones. After years, I found one last week (35 years later !) in bad shape and I starded immediatly to restore. It’s almost finished and it produces sounds, very happy to hear it again. @rimela, I’m’very interested in the fabulous patches you made in the video for the AX, would you mind to sell or share it ?

[@rimela]

Thanks! And yes I’m happy to share my patches. Please send me a message on my soundcloud.

[@Ambientnauts]

This has to have a quality converter & noise reduction on it. And some effects like a quality reverb at least come on man. Spill the beans.

[@rimela]

Thanks! I tracked the AX80 straight into computer (Allen & Heath audio interface), no external fx, only reverb/delays, compression and EQ from Ableton (standard, no plugins).

[@Ambientnauts]

@@rimela thank you that explains it for me. Those choices made a difference. The Ableton stock ballad reverb alone is well regarded. Very tastefully done sir!

[@anderslarsson6149]

🖤

[@ArgumentShow]

I still use one

[@greyzone1971]

Really excellent work; I think this is the very best I've heard the AX80 sound. And yes, you are dead-on with the observation that it just needs a bit of FX to make it come to life. Question, are you doing anything to fatten up the sound on the arpeggiated bassline in the piece beginning at ~2m? I don't think I've ever heard an AX80 sound this fat. Apart from detuning and the appropriate filter / reso settings, are you doing anything to it? Cheers.

[@rimela]

Thanks! The sound is straight from the AX adding a little bit compression (direct on bass channel and multiband on the mix). My patches are available for free (see download link). Can add Stems if you like.

[@chinossynthesizer705]

Same filter low pass filter as the esq-80 right I have the sq-80

[@44magnroll]

Not the same. ESQ-1 has the Prophet 5 filter and the AX80 has the filter found in Solaris, Prophet 600, and Matrix 12.

[@chinossynthesizer705]

@@44magnroll what's the sq-80s filter?

[@44magnroll]

@@chinossynthesizer705 should be the same as ESQ-1 - Curtis CEM3379

[@chinossynthesizer705]

@@44magnroll OK I see thanks

[@cogswellsprocket5530]

Wonderful and amazing job! I wish I could make mine sound like this. Are you running any external fx? Once again, amazing job!

[@rimela]

Thanks! If you want I can send you my patches. Yes I used some Delay/Reverb effects from Ableton Live. The AX, as most (vintage) synths, needs some fx for the sound to come alive.

[@cogswellsprocket5530]

@@rimela That would be great if you could send the patches. I'm not very knowledgeable on how to apply them unless it's just manual settings. I really appreciate the offer!

[@rimela]

@@cogswellsprocket5530 No problem, just send an e-mail to [e-mail]

[@cogswellsprocket5530]

@@rimela Thank you! I just sent you an email.

[@cogswellsprocket5530]

​@@rimela I just loaded the patches you sent and they are stunning! Thank you so much.

[@Cody6918]

I've just been given one. It wont fire up, checked the obvious fuses etc, all good. Any ideas what to focus on?

[@rimela]

A broken power supply maybe?

[@Cody6918]

@@rimela Thanks..Ok. I found one problem .The Voltage selector underneath had come appart. I taped it back in on the 240v setting and it's lighting up the left side control in red. But 4 areas to the right are not lighting up and I can't get a sound from it..,

[@rimela]

@@Cody6918 A common problem with the AX is that the connection between the printboards get bad, resulting the leds not to light up (on the right side). It’s an easy fix though. What’s a bit more worrying is that there’s no sound.

[@Cody6918]

@@rimela Thanks and Shit. Well Im going to plug it in to something else and make sure there's no sound.What are the print boards? The one's that open with the lid?

[@rimela]

@@Cody6918 sorry for my english 😁 I meant the cicuit boards that are underneath the membrane buttons. A common problem with the AX: if membrane buttons don’t work you need to resolder the connection between those circuit boards. On a gearspace forum I read: “the problem with no lights at all, it was a wire that had snapped off the fuse holder. The fuse is kind of hidden at the end of the chassis”. Still, if there’s no sound at all, I think you have another problem. But anyway I hope this will help you further getting the AX working again. Good luck!

[@peterfuzz3887]

can the patches work for my AX 73?

[@rimela]

Hi Peter, unfortunately I think that will not work.

[@anonymous_friend]

AX80 vs AX60. What are your thoughts?

[@rimela]

AX80 all the way 😆 I don’t have a AX60. I’ve played a 60 once, though the knobs/sliders are great my feeling is that the AX80 has more magic to it (20 to be exact)

[@Info-Ark]

Could you do a demo of the Alesis Fusion ?

[@rimela]

I could, maybe, but I don’t have a Fusion. Looking at digital synths, would a Yamaha DX7, Korg M1, Wavestation or Nord Wave 2 be alternatives? I could do demo’s of those.

[@DestroyER82]

@@rimela Wavestation will be awesome.

[@rimela]

@@DestroyER82 Yes! I’ll get to it 🫡

[@rimela]

Yesterday I began working on the Wavestation demo. Hadn't used it for quite some time. Battery was dead so I had to replace it. The few patches I programmed are lost. So, I started programming a whole new set of patches specially for this demo.

[@rimela]

@@DestroyER82 I've just uploaded the new Wavestation demo

[@chaos220]

Leuk

[@furrymonsta1591]

This synth has had such a bad rap over the years, sounds mighty fine here.

[@rimela]

Thanks! The AX is crushed by some, but also has a loyal fan base. With some reverb and delay this synth comes to life.

[@CyanSix]

Very underestimated synth. to pricy at the time with the blue LEDs , stopping production.

[@Senika13]

Anyone want to buy mine? $500 plus shipping from Canada.

[@tylernicolo7654]

$500 CAD?

[@Senika13]

@@tylernicolo7654 yes but I have sold it.